Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-07
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

cent? OF attraction. The interest in Its pro-
ceedings was nearly as great rs that mani.
tested yesterday. william g. Bdrkhead
(Democrat) was elected reading clerk, get
Ting all the votes save three. William Davies,
OF Henderson county, was pushed for en-
crossing clerk by Pearson, aud it was urged
that he was an Independent Democrat who
opposed the cOunty-government system.
Pearson, in nominating Davies, took occa-
sion to attack the county-government sys-
tenn so far as 1t applied to the western
counties, and SAID that Speaker Webster
held the same general view. He alluded to
Webster's work In defeating Congressman
Reid. Pearson announced his belief In
local seli-government. and said the county
government law had borne bitter fruit.
One or two Democrats threw hot shot into
the Independents.
JOINED FORCES.
The Independents and Republicans again
Joined forces and elected Davies over
Hatch (Democrat) from Chatham.
The Democrats were successful In the
next contest, and elected ID. Il. Julian, OF
Rowan, doorkeeper. Pearson voted for
him.
Anex-Co Confederate soldier named Rietzel,
assistant doorkeeper by the Democrats, and
auotber fight arose. Nat. Macon nomi-
mated an Independent and attacked the
Democrats. He said the contest was be-
tween lndependent-Demo aud fraudu-
lent Democracy.
John II. Williamson, q negro Republic
can, said that pledges made by the Inde-
pendents and Republicans had been broken.
fct h. ~ ha I.a md "a
great sensation. Williamson voted for
RietzeI. The latter was elected amid great
applause.
A resolution was offered empowering
Governor Scales to offer 81 900 reward for
Walter Bingham, the murderer OF Miss
burlington. After some debate 1t was
was insane, and that not one OF his friends
was trying TO hide him.
THE BLAIR BILL.
There was heated debate on the reso.
luton offered by the Republicans instruct
Jog the North Carolina congressman 20 sup.
mort the Blair bill. Many members spoke.
The Republicans tried to force vote, but
at last the matter went over till Saturday.
Governor Scales's message was sent TO the
House. but was not read. The feeling Is
quite bitter between the two parties In the
House.
o.day George T. Stronach, formerly a
leading merchant OF this city, was de-
clared insane.
A convention OF citizens OF Johnston,
Cumberland, Sampson, and Harnet coun-
Ties has decided to petition the Legisla-
ture 10 establish q new county. to be
known as Falkland, out OF portions OF
those counties.
Republican Sherifr.elect Westcott, OF
Baden county, failed TO give bond. The
commissioners have appointed Clark, the
old sheriff, TO the position. He is Demo-
crat.
A MEMORABLE DAY.
Yesterday was one which the Democrats
of the State will not soon forget. The dis
patch sent you relative TO the proceedings
in the House, and the coalition Of the Re-
publicsns and Independents but feebly
portrayed the actual feeling in relation to
the action taken In the election OF Speaker.
PREMEDTTATRD ACTION.
A well.known Democrat told me last
night that ten days ago be was given to un.
derstand that Hon. Charles Price, OF Rowan,
one OF the most astute Republicans, had
said that Webster would be Speaker, and
there were hints that "trade" OF some
kind had been made. Yet a great number
OF Democrats relied upon what they con-
sjdered pledges OF Independents to do no.
thing antagonistic to the general Demo-
cratic policy. On this basis 1t was rs
sumed that the Democrats would organize
the House.
INFLUENCES BROUGHT TO BEAR.
Some people bad an idea that the Inde'
pendents were merely slightly maynard
Democrats, and that they could be patted on
the back, talked to little, and then be led
right back to the Democratic fold. The Re-
pubhcans, it appears, were wiser. They
claimed the Independents from the very be-
ginning. They never ceased to claim Them
They had reasons for making that claim
They were sure OF their game. This facI
is not creditable to the Independents. TheS
had a great deal to lose. The Republicans
could In no wise suffer. They had no con
iidence and no respect OF the representative
people OF the State. The Independents cas-
their lot with the Republcans-that ia, al
save three did so, the latter voting with Thu
Democrats. One OF these three the Repub
licans never claimed.
VERY SPACIOUS PROMISES,
A very prominent Republican said las
night to on equally prominent Democrat
"Did you believe Webster when he salt
10. day in explaining his position as an ln
dependent that be had made no entanglinl
alliances aud no combinations? TIL
Democrat said be thought that a rathe
queer remark. The Republican laughe'
aloud and said Don't YOU believe wort
he said. He didn't really mean 1t at all.
Quite a. number Of Democrats-in fact. on
might say all OF them-now put just abou
that value on Mr.. Webster's words. Som
OF them say very rough things, and spea
openly Of bargain and sale and that sort
thing.
SOME REPUBLICAN IDEAS.
One thing might as well be stated now a
later, for II is a fact The drift o! Republ
cen ideas Is towards eradication OF Tn
color line. This is shown In number o
ways. In public places the white Reput
licsns are with negroes; drink with ther
and take them around into hotel Iobbie'
&c. OF course some Republicans do nc
DO this; but some do. The Democrats ar
made now as solid az a wall on the color
line question. The matter was much tllke
oil last night.
wELL.LAID SCHEMES
II was stated by Mr. Webster that h
would not manipulate the committees {
the House. IL Ia said now that he will en-
deayor to give himself strength byappoini
ing the very ablest Democrats to the chat
manship OF the various minor committees
but that rs chairman OF the Committee o.
County Government, for instance, he Wi
see that Republican or Independent OF
posed to that law Is appointed, and that ih
committee Is carefully constituted.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
IL il as well, also, 10 state now that tn
big eight Will be made on this question
The Republicans in the campaign AWAY
pledged themselves 70 spare no effort
secure the repeal OF the law. At a caucu
Of their party last night II Is said that thl
very matter was c0unted on, and that
WINS stated by some Republicans that tner
! were enough Independents secured TO max
certain OF House bill looking to the repe,
Of the law, putting the question before th
people.
PURE RECORD.
The Democrats have never appeared
more advantage than In this contest 10
| speakership and its attendant features
| They put themselves on record as the n
representatives. OF party with recort
| They have all TO gain and nothing TO los
In this matter, and It will be seen that on
| Of this independently Republican nettl
| they will pluck fair flower next Moves
hor Co think and sax eonfe nj the able,